Flower composition

weatherwise2 · 03-04-2008, 07:14 PM

I think this is the right location in the forum. I do think this is a great place to learn, look and ask.

We see a lot of flower pictures and more should be coming this spring. I have tried unsuccessfully submitting a few flower pictures to PPG and have studied some of the ones accepted there ,but can't seem to get what makes a good flower photograph?

I'm sure others on this site would like to get advise of how to do good compositions, color adjustments, DOF, etc. I'm thinking mostly the amateur photographer where we are taking pictures outdoors or of bouquets that we have in the house or office or even a botanical gardens where we have limited ability to do major adjustments to the lighting arrangements or the background.

I thought this was a good composition that did get rejected (which is okay, I understand the standards are high and not always clear) and we can use that to get a discussion going.

My ulterior motive is that my wife is a terrific gardener and I want to make a catalogue/portfolio of her flowers this summer.

Last edited by weatherwise2; 03-05-2008 at 06:43 AM. Reason: spelling

J.Scott · 03-10-2008, 10:34 AM

I guess I am not much of a judge either 'cus I think it looks pretty darn good! I like the composition but If I was to change anything it would be to tone down the exposure a bit and selectively add saturation to the center green part.

The changes I made a very subtle - it really does look fine.

Something like this.

HowLowCanYaGo · 03-11-2008, 09:32 PM

First off, great shot and composition. The official gallery is completely subjective, so if your work gets turned down, don't take it so hard. They seem to only want extremely exotic-type images.

J. Scott offered some great tips, however, his edit did add a big of noise on the pink(er) parts of the overall image. You can avoid this simply by editing the photo differently, for the same effect. The only part that needed saturation was the center, and it looks like he did the whole image.

Keep up the good work!

LaRee · 03-11-2008, 09:43 PM

I think it is a beautiful flower shot. If I changed anything I'd like to see a bit more "breathing room" at the top of the crop. Very nice as is though for sure.

NYpHoToGraphEr · 03-12-2008, 09:26 PM

That is amazing in a way it makes me want to it eat it.

rmtagg · 03-14-2008, 10:32 AM

I think it is a pretty pic

How does one go about submitting to PPG anyway?
Can't wait to see more of your wifes flowers

03-04-2008, 07:14 PM	#1
weatherwise2 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Warwick, RI Photos: Gallery Posts: 740	Flower composition I think this is the right location in the forum. I do think this is a great place to learn, look and ask. We see a lot of flower pictures and more should be coming this spring. I have tried unsuccessfully submitting a few flower pictures to PPG and have studied some of the ones accepted there ,but can't seem to get what makes a good flower photograph? I'm sure others on this site would like to get advise of how to do good compositions, color adjustments, DOF, etc. I'm thinking mostly the amateur photographer where we are taking pictures outdoors or of bouquets that we have in the house or office or even a botanical gardens where we have limited ability to do major adjustments to the lighting arrangements or the background. I thought this was a good composition that did get rejected (which is okay, I understand the standards are high and not always clear) and we can use that to get a discussion going. My ulterior motive is that my wife is a terrific gardener and I want to make a catalogue/portfolio of her flowers this summer. Last edited by weatherwise2; 03-05-2008 at 06:43 AM. Reason: spelling

03-10-2008, 10:34 AM	#2
J.Scott Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,675	I guess I am not much of a judge either 'cus I think it looks pretty darn good! I like the composition but If I was to change anything it would be to tone down the exposure a bit and selectively add saturation to the center green part. The changes I made a very subtle - it really does look fine. Something like this. Last edited by J.Scott; 03-30-2009 at 03:27 AM.

03-14-2008, 10:32 AM	#6
rmtagg Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Warrington, PA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,271	Pretty I think it is a pretty pic How does one go about submitting to PPG anyway? Can't wait to see more of your wifes flowers

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03-11-2008, 09:32 PM	#3
HowLowCanYaGo Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 243	First off, great shot and composition. The official gallery is completely subjective, so if your work gets turned down, don't take it so hard. They seem to only want extremely exotic-type images. J. Scott offered some great tips, however, his edit did add a big of noise on the pink(er) parts of the overall image. You can avoid this simply by editing the photo differently, for the same effect. The only part that needed saturation was the center, and it looks like he did the whole image. Keep up the good work!

03-11-2008, 09:43 PM	#4
LaRee Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: San Diego Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,225	I think it is a beautiful flower shot. If I changed anything I'd like to see a bit more "breathing room" at the top of the crop. Very nice as is though for sure.

03-12-2008, 09:26 PM	#5
NYpHoToGraphEr Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Brooklyn,NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 329	That is amazing in a way it makes me want to it eat it.